3rd Quarter District Meeting for PNW Optimist Clubs

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Saturday, November 19, 2011

PNW District - Optimist International Oratorical Contest for 2011-2012

“How My Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles”

Submitted by Jeanne Large, Oratorical Chair

Since its start in 1928, the Oratorical contest has become the longest-running program sponsored by Optimist International. The contest is designed for youth to gain experience in public speaking and to provide them with the opportunity to compete for a college scholarship.

Optimist International’s 2012 Oratorical Contest has a theme that speaks to the heart of every Optimist volunteer. When a volunteer stands up and says “Yes, I can!” children are given the opportunity to learn the invaluable skill of public speaking, experience the warmth of volunteers who care, and hear the empowering words of their fellow speakers.

If you and your club think that this is an opportunity that you want the children in your community to have, now is the time to start planning for it. Now is the time to let school speech and communication departments know about the theme and timelines, contact youth who have participated in the last couple of years and who might still be eligible, and prepare flyers that can be publicly available in libraries and community centers.

It is also time to budget for the contest so that your contestants can be offered cash prizes, now possible for club level events. Clubs are allowed to give monetary awards up to $500 per winner in addition to the official medallions. The club level awards may be given in the form of a scholarship, savings bond or cash prize. The cash incentives will attract speakers of they know about them.

Optimist International and your PNW District Oratorical Chairperson, Jeanne Large, are readily available to help you make it happen. The complete rules and all the forms are available online at http://www.optimist.org. To locate this year’s guides, just go to the “Members” area of the website, select “Programs” and then go to either “Scholarship Contests” or “Planning Guides”. The planning guides are also available under the “Club” and “District” tabs atwww.optimistleaders.org.

Some key dates:

District Oratorical Contest: May 18-19, 2012, Best Western Agate Beach, Newport, OR

Regional Oratorical Events: At least two weeks prior to District Event –late April 2012

About us

Optimist Clubs conduct community service projects on a local level with an emphasis on programs that help kids reach their full potential.

The District exists as a resource for Optimist Clubs to help identify leaders, encourage participation, and start-up more Optimist Clubs to help advance the purposes of Optimist International.

Optimist International is made up of about 2,500 clubs in 49 Districts. Our motto is "Friend of Youth." We believe by providing hope and positive vision, Optimist Club members bring out the best in children.

Please use the directory above to find an Optimist Club near you and visit today. Be an Optimist - bring out the best in you by helping us bring out the best in kids.

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Help us raise $2,500 for the 2014-2015 CCDHH Scholarship Fund

Donations 2014-2015

The fund starts over on October 1! Help us help deaf and hard of hearing children who speak by making your scholarship donation today. Send to District S/T Emma Ball, 109 Sunnyside Dr., Centralia, WA 98531.

Ray and Shirley Hilts - $100

Albany Optimist Club - $100

Just do it!

Join us for the District Finals!

The Optimist Oratorical Contest and CCDHH Finals will be held at the Third Quarter PNW District Meeting in Kennewick, WA, May 15-16, 2015. Register now.